Petunia plant named ‘DANLITTUN2’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Petunia  cultivar named ‘DANLITTUN2’ is disclosed, characterized by having purple flowers with a distinctive dark throat, a highly compact, mounded plant habit and continuous flowering. The new variety is a  Petunia,  normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Petunia sensu Wijsman.

Variety denomination: ‘DANLITTUN2’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Petunia cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Gabriel Danziger, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The objective of the breeding program was to produce new Petunia varieties for commercial applications. The seed parent is the unpatented, proprietary seedling variety referred to as Petunia sensu Wijsman ‘CV-6217.’ The pollen parent is the unpatented, proprietary seedling variety referred to as Petunia sensu Wijsman ‘CV-144.’ The new variety was discovered in April 2006 by the inventor in a group of seedlings resulting from that crossing, in a commercial greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘DANLITTUN2’ by vegetative cuttings was first performed at a commercial greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel in April 2006 and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘DANLITTUN2’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘DANLITTUN2’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘DANLITTUN2’ as a new and distinct Petunia cultivar:

-   -   1. Small flowers.     -   2. Compact growth habit.     -   3. Deep purple throat.     -   4. Suitability for outdoor containers and garden situations.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DANLITTUN2’ are similar to plants of the seed parent, Petunia sensu Wijsman ‘CV 6217’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘DANLITTUN2’ are more compact and have a different color flower.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DANLITTUN2’ are similar to plants of the pollen parent, Petunia sensu Wijsman ‘CV-144’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘DANLITTUN2’ are more compact and have a different color flower.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DANLITTUN2’ are similar to plants of the commercial variety ‘MP20’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,857 in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘DANLITTUN2’ have flowers with a more purple than blue coloration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘DANLITTUN2’ grown in a greenhouse, in a 13 cm basket. Age of the plant photographed is approximately 90 days from a rooted cutting.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a close up of a typical bloom of ‘DANLITTUN2.’

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘DANLITTUN2’ plants grown in a greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The growing temperature ranged from 18° C. to 24° C. The greenhouse is subject to partial shade. General light conditions are bright, normal sunlight, with some shade during the brightest part of the day. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Petunia sensu Wijsman cultivar     ‘DANLITTUN2.’

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: About 8 days at approximately 25° C. -   Time to develop roots: About 14-21 days at approximately 18-30° C. -   Root description: Fine, fibrous. -   Time to produce a rooted cutting: Approximately 14 to 21 days at     18-30° C.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Compact, spreading annual. -   Pot size of plant described: 12 cm. -   Age of plant described: Approximately 90 days from a rooted cutting. -   Height:     -   -   To top of flowers.—Approximately 25-30 cm. -   Plant spread: Approximately 50 cm. -   Growth rate: Moderate. -   Branching characteristics: Well-branched. Branches from base of     plant. -   Characteristics of lateral branches:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.25 cm.         -   Form.—Cylindrical.         -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144A.         -   Texture.—Smooth. -   Internode length: Approximately 2 cm.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Quantity.—Approximately 180 per branch.         -   Average length.—Approximately 3 cm.         -   Average width.—Approximately 1.5 cm.         -   Shape of blade.—Elliptic.         -   Apex.—Obtuse.         -   Base.—Acute.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture of top surface.—Lustrous.         -   Aspect.—Slanted upward 45-90°.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146A.             Young foliage under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146A. Mature             foliage upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 147A. Mature             foliage under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146A.         -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS             Yellow-Green 144C. Venation color under side: Near RHS             Yellow-Green 144C.         -   Petiole.—Length: 0.5 cm. Diameter: 0.5 cm. Color: Near RHS             Yellow-Green 144C.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Freely flowering all year in Moshav     Mishmar Hashiva Israel. Begins flowering approximately 55 days after     planting a rooted cutting. -   Inflorescence and flower type and habit: Salverform, single with     fused petals. -   Rate of flower opening: 4 to 5 days from bud to fully opened flower. -   Flower longevity on plant: Individual flowers last 4 to 5 days on     the plant. -   Quantity of flowers: Approximately 60 per plant. -   Flower size:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 2 cm.         -   Flower tube length.—Approximately 2.5 cm.         -   Flower tube diameter at distal end.—Approximately 0.7 cm.         -   Flower tube diameter at proximal end.—Approximately 0.2 cm. -   Petals:     -   -   Length from throat.—About 1 cm.         -   Width.—About 2 cm.         -   Quantity.—5, fused.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Apex.—Truncate.         -   Margin.—Entire. -   Color:     -   -   When opening.—Upper surface: Near RHS Purple 79A. Lower             surface: Near RHS Purple 79A.         -   Fully opened.—Upper surface: Near RHS Purple N78A. Lower             surface: Near RHS Red-Purple N74C. Flower throat (inside):             Near RHS Red-Purple N79A. Flower throat, vein: Near RHS             Purple 79A. Flower tube (outside): Near RHS Purple 79A.             Flower tube, vein: Near RHS Red-Purple 59B. Petal color,             fading to: Does not fade. -   Bud:     -   -   Shape.—Ovate.         -   Length.—Approximately 0.5 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.25 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Green 142C. -   Calyx/sepals:     -   -   Quantity per flower.—5, fused at base.         -   Shape.—Oblong.         -   Length.—Approximately 1 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 0.2 cm.         -   Apex.—Obtuse.         -   Base.—Fused.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Pubescent.         -   Color.—Upper Surface: Near RHS Green 137A. Lower Surface:             Near RHS Green 137B. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 2 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.1 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Green 137B.         -   Orientation.—Upright. -   Fragrance: None.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:     -   -   Number.—5.         -   Filament length.—Approximately 1.5 cm. -   Anthers:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 0.1 cm.         -   Shape.—Oblate.         -   Pollen.—Color: Near RHS White 155A. Quantity: Abundant. -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—1.         -   Length.—Approximately 1.5 cm.         -   Style.—Length: Approximately 0.1 cm. Color: Near RHS             Yellow-Green 146C.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Oblate. Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146C.             Ovary Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146C.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: Not observed and not commercially important. -   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to     pathogens and pests common to Petunia have been observed. -   Temperature tolerance: The new variety tolerates temperatures     between 8 to 35° C. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Petunia plant named ‘DANLITTUN2’ as herein illustrated and described. 